The Falklands War, 35 Years On

The Falklands War from April 2 to June 14, 1982 was the largest air sea battle since World War II. British forces launched the longest amphibious operation in history sailing 8,000 miles to retake the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic invaded and occupied illegally by over 10,000 Argentine soldiers and marines. Retired British Army Brigadier (General) Rod (Roderick) Macdonald will give a personal overview of the campaign. He was part of the four man group that planned the land campaign on HMS Fearless and, as an Army Commando, he commanded 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines who were the primary British assault force. The naval, land and air campaign involved battling South Atlantic gales in an antarctic winter along with land fighting over inhospitable and mountainous terrain. In a matter of weeks, 1,000 men died, 2,000 were wounded, 23 ships were hit and seven sunk along with 91 fixed wing aircraft and 23 helicopters destroyed before the Islands were eventually liberated. The Argentine military Junta/Government, that had murdered somewhere between 10,000 to 30,000 of its own citizens, fell.